Teen Raises Thousands for Her Boys & Girls Club
“We do this work every day, so to impact a young person enough to want to give back was phenomenal,” says Tonia Lewis, Branch Manager for Oak Forest Boys & Girls Club on Milton Road.
Michala started attending the Boys & Girls Club in middle school around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes herself as an extroverted kid who likes to stay in the Club and help when needed. Now, a Julius L. Chambers High School sophomore, Michala did something the Club staff and members would always remember.
She raised more than $2,000 for her Club.
“I was extremely overwhelmed and surprised,” says Lewis, “Michala is an extremely passionate young lady who likes to give back to her community and others.”
She raised the money through her event, ‘Sarai Slams,’ a poetry slam open to the community. But this slam was not a competition. It was an exposure event for youth performers like Michala.
“I wanted everyone to have their own light,” says Michala. “As a youth poet, it’s really hard for people to see your talent, especially when you’re younger. So, I wanted to create an event that showcases that but also gave back to the community at the same time.”
All the money raised was through ticket sales and donations. But, Michala did not hesitate to put that money into the place that made her feel like family.
“We gave her a list of things that we wanted as a wish list,” says Lewis, “and she pretty much fulfilled all of those things.”
She bought the Club an Air Hockey table and a PlayStation 5 with remote controls and repaired the pool tables and sticks. She also bought Doll Heads and Barbie Dolls, books, and a STEM Kit. One item she bought that struck everyone at the Club was a Multi-Game Pac-Man Machine.
“Growing up, I used to go to the Laundromat with my mom and dad, and there always used to be a Pac-Man game,” says Michala, “and it was fun, even if it was an older game.”
“They [Club Kids] love gaming systems anyway,” says Lewis, “most of them knew what Pac-Man was, and they were ready to play right away.”
Michala says she was just happy to give back and had no idea how much of an impact this would have on the Club. People still thank her to this day.
“I’m just glad I was given the opportunity to give back,” Michala says.
Michala still writes and performs poetry during her free time. You can find her work on Instagram at @saraispreadsthesunshine.